If you are a happy, proud purebred dog owner, you might already think about giving your dog a chance to compete in a dog show.

At first sight, this competition can look like fun and quite easy activity for both you and your dog, but in reality, it is a serious event and it can be very difficult to compete there and win it.

First of all, you need to do a dog DNA test to check your dog’s genetics, hereditary diseases and vulnerabilities. When you will know that your dog is healthy and has no potential problems you can start to work with your dog!

Genetic testing is very important especially for larger dog breeds such as Basset Hunds. Since the legs of these dogs are relatively short compared to their weight, it is very important to feed your Basset Hund with a good food so your dog does not become obese and its leg joints do not suffer.

In this article, we will help you to understand dog show rules and requirements better. After reading this you can decide is it worth for your dog to compete in a dog show or not.

What is EKC?

European Kennel Club is an organization that goal is to educate people about certificated dogs breeding. Also, AKC organizes and approves various events related to dogs every year. In the United States of Europe, this institution has a lot of member clubs and affiliated clubs also. Clubs aim focuses not only on dog show events. EKC clubs in Europe do many public activities and the entire community can get a benefit from it. EKC main purpose is to educate people about dogs and their breeds.

Only EKC registered dogs can enter a dog show. It shows and guarantees that a dog and its ancestors are purebred. This registration does not guarantee health and quality of the breed. Your dog can be registered with the EKC only if its parents were. It means that your dog can not enter the competition if its ancestors were not in the EKC register. Also, dog owners can use full EKC line for educational and informational purposes.

Dogs that cannot participate

These days designer dogs are becoming more and more popular. For those who do not know about it, Designer dog is a mix between two different breeds, for example, corgi husky mix. Puppy of this mix breed would be called Corgsky, Horgi or Siborgi. But none of these “breeds” are allowed to enter and participate in the EKC or AKC dog shows. These types of dogs do not have constant and certain features. Every puppy can look different and none of them will look like one of their parents. For example, one Corgski puppy can have long legs and look like Corgi at a first sight, another puppy can have short legs but look like Huskie. Designer dogs are non-purebreds and they cannot compete in dog shows.

What is a dog show?

Showing your dog can be a fun sport with the excitement of competition combined with happiness seeing so many beautiful dogs. Dog shows are just one type of EKC events in which registered dogs are able to compete. Such events draw millions of visitors every year. EKC events are tests of instincts and train abilities, field and agility trials, herding trials, hunting tests, tracking tests, dog shows etc. One of the purposes of dog shows is to estimate breeding stocks. Dog shows can be from large all-breed shows with many contestants to small specific breed clubs shows. Dogsbody structure and appearance shows its ability to produce quality puppies.

Types of Conformation Dog shows

There are three main types of dog shows.

All-breed shows – where all EKC registered breeds can participate. These types of shows are usually shown on television.

Specialty shows – are shows where only one breed and its variations can participate. For example Bulldog show, Labrador Retriever show etc.

Group shows – it is a show in which only one of the seven dogs group can participate.

The seven groups of dogs in the show

Working – breeds in this group guard property and work in certain services such as rescue. Breeds: Boxer, Akita, Doberman Pincher, St. Bernard etc

Hound – dogs in this group were bred to hunt and help for hunters. Breeds: Beagle, Borzoi, English Foxhound, Greyhound, Basenji, Afghan hound etc.

Sporting – these dogs were bred to hunt game birds. Breeds: Cocker Spaniel, English Setter, Flat-Coated Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shorthaired Pointer, Irish Setter etc.

Terrier – were bred to protect houses from vermins. Breeds: Border Terrier, Australian Terrier, Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier etc.

Toy – dogs in this group were bred to be human companions in the home. Breeds: English Toy Spaniel, Chihuahua, Manchester Terrier, Maltese etc.

Non-sporting – dogs in this group are companions. Breeds: Boston Terrier, Bulldog, Chow Chow, Dalmatian, French Bulldog.

Herding – these dogs were bred to help for shepherds to herd their livestock. Breeds: Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, Collie, German Shepherd, Pembroke Welsh Corgi etc.

Tips for those who enter dogs show for the first time

Every participant must be registered with the EKC, so make sure that you did that. You must learn certain techniques of grooming and presenting your dog to the judges. Join your dogs breed club or your local club, people there can help you with any difficulty that you can encounter. Carefully study rules of dog shows that your dog is going to participate. Visit some dog shows before, examine dogs and owner who competes there. Also, you can always talk to your breeder about this competition.

European dog shows are events where various dog breeds compete against each other, and the judges’ decisions are based on performance criteria such as obedience, agility, herding, gait, attitude or tracking. Other factors considered include; the dog’s size, bone structure, musculature, coat, teeth, and movements. Most of these shows feature more than 10,000 dogs and with around 30,000 visitors who stroll to watch these spectacular events. But how exactly do the event’s planners ensure that the dogs remain in the track designated for their parade? It’s not a secret that indoor dog potties are commonly used nowadays in dog shows. No one wants to step on dogs natural things during competition. Most of these shows prefer using invisible fences to keep the dogs within the defined areas during the show. Better still, most of the dogs that participate in these shows usually have undergone reinforcement training where electronic training devices are used to correct certain behavior such as hunting or chasing.

Electric Dog Fence in European Dog Shows

Most trainers use electric dog fences to give off-leash freedom to the dogs allowing them to run, play and have access to the yard during potty breaks. And even better, these fences are convenient for use in shows since they can cover a large area without causing a physical distraction to the trainers and the judges during the talent events. Unlike physical fences, electric fences are quite affordable and easy to install. It is, however, advisable for any dog owner or trainer to complete the training program provided by the company offering the devices to ensure that your pup understands the regulations and how he can avoid the shock. This will also help avoid the development of fear, anxiety, and aggression.

But we have to acknowledge the fact that there have been heated debates on the use of these fences with those for the use and the opponent having concrete points; which is very okay to have varying views. And in case you are a dog owner who is not yet conversant with the term ‘invisible fence’ then, it is fair to provide insight.  For starters, this fence features an underground wire that is installed in a designated location, and it emits a signal through the collar worn by the dog producing a beeping warning. If the dog proceeds to move crosser to the boundary line, the collar shocks your pup. With time, the dog learns where the boundary line lies and trains it to stay in the designated location.

A higher number of dogs that have won top positions such as; European winner, Puppy European Winner, Junior European Winner, and Veteran European Winner among other titles have undergone vigorous training some through the use of electric collars which ensures that they are not stranded during the shows. More so, since these events are business and a way of life, it is essential to ensure that the owners do not lose their dogs.

Advantages of Using E-Collar and Electric Fences in European Shows

• They deliver a precisely controllable intensity
• Relatively affordable
• Preferred by trainers since they are aversive enough to correct an undesirable behavior
• Their long term risk is minimal when compared to other punishing techniques

Whenever you are planning to enroll for the European dog show, make sure that you have undergone the basics with your dog’s trainer to prevent your dog from getting frustrated by the new discipline enforcement during the show where he is required to stay within a designated area. And since the fences are invisible, he might not ascertain when to stop crossing a certain location. More so, the e-collar can act as a tracking device for your dog incase he get lost among the huge crowds of people who come to watch the shows.

European dog shows often happen in European countries and any willing entrant has to establish the requirements for participation. In the modern times, countries from other continents have been allowed to take part in the events. The movement of the pets is controlled by the Pet Travel Scheme to limit the spread of diseases. The European region only allows pets that comply with Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to enter its environs. The organization has enabled exhibitors from Europe to also participate in other countries that have similar events. The Kennel Club provides sufficient information to dog owners who wish to participate in Europe.

It is easier for countries found in the European Union to compete alongside those in Europe. The reason is that the UK softened the injunctions that concern pet travel between the two factions. For the dog owners who are moving around the EU or non-listed countries, you need to know that;

You should place a microchip upon their dogs in order to boost identification.

You have to vaccinate their pets against rabies at least 21 days before they travel. The placement of the microchip must come first before the vaccination process because the latter may not count.

You must be aware of the travel documents which ascertain that the dog has undergone the preliminary stages before moving to another country. The documents include the third country veterinary certificate issued by a vet from a recognized clinic.

It is mandatory that the dog undergoes a tapeworm treatment before the owner travels with it. However, there is an exception for some countries, implying that they don’t have to treat the pets for tapeworms. The countries are Ireland, Norway, Malta, Ireland and Finland.

For exhibitors travelling into UK and the EU from countries that are not listed, you have to know that your pets must have microchips, rabies vaccination and free from tapeworms.

You have to carry along certifications from a recognized vet with an assurance that the vaccination program was effective and successful. Members from the EU have the freedom to travel to unlisted countries at any time, thus they do not have to wait for the three month period to elapse.

Exhibitors travelling with pets must be aware that in both cases, you have to engage an authorized carrier and use an approved route.

Information concerning entry into the show is also critical for the exhibitors. Countries that intend to hold the shows avail information through the Kennel Clubs.

Alternatively, the information is usually posted on the ‘Info Expos’ magazine that is published 8 times in a year. The contents include regulations, list of judges, entry forms and schedules.

The magazine provides additional general information concerning about 1000 dog shows that would be taking place in more than 40 countries.

Prior to the show, you ought to ascertain the specific requirement in the various countries. For instance, some countries do not allow participation of dogs with docked tails. It is illegal thus the exhibitor with this type of dog will automatically lose the chance to take part.

Learning about the dog names is vital for the owners given that specific breeds have different names in the UK from those that are known in their native countries. Some breeds have different legislations in the UK.

 It is also your duty to seek this kind of information to establish whether his breed will be allowed to take part in the competition. The legislations are found in the Kennel Clubs found overseas or the UK embassy.

The dog show competition is based on titles. Any willing participant has to ascertain the titles that will eventually be awarded once the show has been concluded. International titles for UK based dogs are directly created by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI). There are dog types that take part in the show but they do not have the Challenge Certificate Status.

In this case, the owners will be asked for more requirements in order to be referred to FCI for title recommendations. The additional factors include a working test under the FCI rules. In case the test is passed, FCI will go ahead to award the title. Dog owners have to also seek further information concerning the tests from FCI.

Dog shows are an important part of the dog’s life. A dog show is a competition that tests the dog’s temperament and ability to obey commands. Dog show judges evaluate a number of factors such as physical appearance, movement, behavior, and health.

In order to be competitive in the dog show, a dog must smell fresh and clean all the time. This is because people judge dogs based on how they smell during the show. If dogs do not smell well, they will be disqualified from the competition.

The most common way for a professional groomer to keep their dogs smelling good is by using shampoo with an aromatic scent like lavender or vanilla extract and using best pet deodorizer sprays.

The smell of dogs is a big part of the show. This is why it’s important that they smell good.

Bad dog smell is a common problem that has many causes. Some of the causes are:

1. A dog that is not properly taken care of or given enough attention.
2. A dog that has been left outside for long periods of time without being walked.
3. The lack of proper cleaning and maintenance in the house.
4. The lack of proper grooming and nail trimming.
5. The lack of sufficient exercise for the dog.

Rules for the European dog show are implemented and enforced by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI).  The FCI nurtures its own judges who are trained in various European languages that include German, English, Spanish, and French. Among the duties of the organization is to facilitate a beauty championship where exemplary dog owners are awarded for species that are outstanding in terms of breed and gender.

 This organization ensures that the owners move around Europe for shows with specific adherence to the vaccination and identification policies. For instance, dogs that have been vaccinated have to be easily identified through microchips that are placed on the animal’s body. Different countries have varied policies in regard to dog shows.

 The policies are based on the types of cages, movement from one region to another among other factors. Much of this information is sought from kennel clubs where documentations are done in form of brochures, magazines and books.

European dog shows are sufficiently regulated. The rules are divided into various categories which include

• General Provisions

Among the FCI demands under this category is that the show must be held within 3 days. The breeds of dogs to take part in the competition ought to be recognized by the FCI. Before the breeds are allowed to take part, there are rigorous steps that FCI undertakes to establish that they are captured in the Appendices of the FCI Stud books. The initial requirement is that dog owners have to register with FCI as contract partners or members in order to limit the conflicts that arise during the show. The last rule under this category is that dog owners must have effectively guaranteed the welfare and health of the dogs, which is treated by FCI as an element of highest priority.

• Registry

This category requires that owners avail the rightful documentations that inform the show facilitators about the dog’s details. Some of the documentations include puppy’s cards, a copy of the dog’s breed which has to be stamped by a vet from a recognized animal clinic. The copy confirms that a dog participating in such competition is vaccinated and does not pose any danger to other participants. Another document is a form of entry where the owner of the dog fills the details and finally signs against it. If the owner fulfills the requirements, he will be asked to make payments where he is issued with a receipt.

Registration periods are governed by strict deadlines and failure to meet them will amount to loss of the participating chance. The dog show takes place in various classes that include the Champion class and the Working Class. It is the duty of the dog owner to select the class in which the dog will feature. They may also change the class in case of any unfavorable occurrences as long as they fall within the deadline.

• Titles and Awards

 The European dog show has a tradition of awarding best performing breeds according to the FCI regulations. The results are released by stewards who are situated in the rings. The winners are issued with certificates and the records are kept in the Diploma. Some of the awards include;

1. European Winner of the Year
2. Puppy European Winner
3. Junior European Winner
4. Veteran European Winner

• Rights and Conduct of the Exhibitors

 The FCI requires that dog owners must not make any transactions concerning the sale or buying of dogs within the area of the competition. They must refrain from any form of mistreatment of the animals. The owners are prohibited from inducing any substances that will change the behavior of the dogs. This regulation is related to the one that restricts the owners from using products that will change the color of the dogs.

 Once the exhibitors access the area of the show, they should not take any alcoholic drinks or smoke cigarettes. The FCI also demands that owners should behave in an ethical way while addressing the judges. Advertisements are not allowed unless they have been authorized by the facilitators. Dogs must be well attended to, implying that the cages have to be cleaned and placed in designated areas and the animals provided with necessary medications. In the event that these rules have been broken, the owners suffer withdrawal of certificates. The dogs will not be allowed to participate in the event.